Are You Throwing Away Your Fireplace Ash? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t

Fireplace ash may seem less threatening than burning wood, but it can still pose a serious fire risk. So even if you want to stockpile your own fireplace ash to use it later, you still have to be careful about where and how you store it.

“Ash is seemingly harmless and cold before it actually is,” Lo Choe, Licensed Fire Safety Contractor and Owner of Aura Fire Safety, says, making proper storage especially important. Homeowners who use a fireplace or wood stove need to store and dispose of ash safely. A cord of wood produces enough ash to fill a 5-gallon bucket, so it’s a constant household chore that deserves your full attention. Ahead, learn how to safely store fireplace ash (and know what NOT to do) with help from Choe.

Household Uses for Fireplace Ash

Fireplace ash has several practical uses around the house. These include:

Silver polish

Mix ash with water to form a thick paste, then apply in a circular motion with a soft cloth to polish tarnished silver. Wear gloves and buff with a clean cloth when finished.

Deodorizer

Sprinkle ash after each use in an outhouse to keep odors down. Place a bowl of ashes in a musty room or one that contains a litter box to absorb unwanted smells.

Garden helper

Sprinkle some ash around potash-loving plants like tomatoes and fruit trees. It can also act as a pest deterrent for slugs and crawling bugs as well.

Compost pile ingredient

Ash can act as a great pH balancer in compost while also adding beneficial minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Natural soap

Use boiling water and ash to create a lye extract, then cook with fat to create a liquid soap through a multi-day process.

Gravel driveway maintenance

Spread thin layers of ash across gravel driveways to keep down weeds. When wet, ash mixes with gravel and dries to a harder consistency, so can also be used to fill potholes.

Soil neutralizer

Mix ash with garden or lawn soil to raise pH in acidic soil.

De-icer

Ash can increase traction on icy walkways and can increase melting speeds.

Glass cleaner

Dip a damp paper towel in fine ash to clean glass. This is a great way to clean glass doors on wood stoves.

Why Proper Ash Storage Matters

Proper storage is important to prevent fire risks, but also lung and skin exposure. While not considered toxic, ash contains crystalline silica, which can cause respiratory issues if inhaled. It’s also very caustic when mixed with liquid, like water or sweat, which can burn exposed skin.

Can Storing Ash Be a Fire Risk?

If stored improperly, the risk is real. Here’s why:

Hidden embers

Even fireplace ash that appears cool can contain smoldering embers that will reignite under the right conditions. “The ash may appear lifeless, but it’s merely insulated and yearning for oxygen,” Choe says.

Insulating ash

Cooled ash will also insulate interior embers, keeping them hot for several days, even in storage. “In some cases, I’ve seen ember-size pieces of coal remain over 400 degrees Fahrenheit while nestled in gray ash several inches deep,” Choe says.

Extended cooling time

Stored ash will need a few days to fully cool and no longer pose a fire risk. “Fireplace ash has the potential to hold live embers between 24 to 72 hours depending on variables,” Choe says.

Improper storage

Ash stored in a flammable container or on combustible surfaces can ignite and cause a fire.

How to Store Fireplace Ash Safely

Always store fireplace ash in a metal container with a close-fitting lid. “No plastic bags or sheet liners,” Choe says. Keep this container on a non-combustible surface like concrete, brick or stone, at least 10 feet away from any flammable materials, decks or fences.

Let ash have time and space to cool down safely. “Allow it to cool for a full 72 hours before placing it in the trash, even if it feels cool after 12 hours,” Choe says. “For added safety, you can spray down the ash with water before placing the lid on.”

What NOT to Do

Avoid these storage and disposal practices to keep your home safe.

• Never store ash in an open container to prevent accidental fires if knocked over.
• “Never vacuum fireplace ash from your fireplace into a household vacuum,” Choe says. “Fine particles can slip through the filters and cause combustion within the vacuum itself.”
• Never dispose of ash in a trash bag with other household trash. Keep it in its own bag when cooled.
• “Never leave your ashes in a pile on your wooden front porch or next to dry leaves in your yard,” Choe says.
• Never dispose of ash on a windy day, as this can breathe new life into smoldering embers.
• Never store ash near flammable items like newspapers, curtains or carpet.

About the Expert

Lo Choe is a Licensed Fire Safety Contractor and Owner of Aura Fire Safety in the San Francisco Bay Area. Choe is a licensed home systems professional with two state property safety certifications (C-16 and C-10).

Related

• The Real Reason Aluminum Foil Has a Shiny Side and a Dull Side
• Think Adirondack Chairs Are Uncomfortable? You’re Using Them Wrong
• Why You Shouldn’t Crush Aluminum Cans Before Recycling

The post Are You Throwing Away Your Fireplace Ash? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.